Born June 28, 1944, in Jimtown, to the late Earl Robert and Jessie (Hallum) Hicks, he passed away Saturday, March 23, 2013, at his home in Lone Grove.

Raised at Jimtown, he attended grade school at Jimtown and Burneyville, graduating high school as salutatorian of Turner High School's Class of 1962. A graduate of Cooke County Junior College, he earned his Bachelor of Business from North Texas State University, Denton, Texas, and did his master's work in journalism at Oklahoma University, Norman. A Vietnam Veteran, he served in Saigon. After returning to the states, he opened the Gary Hicks Insurance Agency in Norman. On Dec. 28, 1974, he married his wife of 38 years, Linda Sue Batchelor, in Dallas, Texas. The couple moved from Norman to Marietta in 1976 to open the first of three pizzerias, Pizzeria of Marietta, Pizzeria of Waurika, and the Pizzeria of Lone Grove. On March 16, 1980, they moved to Lone Grove and on January 5, 1983, they established and published their first edition of The Lone Grove Ledger. In 1985 they added Quality Printing and Graphic Design to their publishing company. A charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Lone Grove, he served on the Kiwanis Texas-Oklahoma District Staff as Ki-Notes editor, from 1994 through 2011. He also served a club president and secretary. A founder of the Lone Grove Chamber of Commerce, he also served this organization as president. In addition, he was a member of the Oklahoma Press Association where he served on the legislative committee. He loved spending time at his farm, with his grandchildren, great-granddaughter, and with his best buddy. A member of First Baptist Church, Lone Grove, his desire was to see 100 people attend Wednesday night services, which came to fruition on Wednesday, March 13 when over 300 people were present.

Survivors include his wife, Linda, of the home in Lone Grove; two granddaughters, Kristin Hicks Underwood and her husband, Lance, of Seminole, and Bethany Hicks, Tecumseh; a grandson, Tyler Hicks, of the home in Lone Grove; a great-granddaughter, Cicily Anderson, Seminole; two daughters-in-law, Ann Hicks, Tecumseh, and Paula Cannon and her husband, Kendall, Dickson; a sister, Maxine Reed, Ardmore; a brother, Glyn Edward Hicks and his wife, Virginia, Marietta; a sister-in-law, Wanda Hicks-Miller, Ponca City; and a host of very special nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Gary Keith Hicks, II; two brothers, Earl Ray Hicks, and Burney Hicks; and a sister, Peggy McIntyre.

Bearers and honorary bearers will be nephews.

Visitation is this evening at Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home from 6 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Madill Baptist Home for Girls online at www.obhc.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=1216, or mail to 13976 Anthony Lane, Madill, OK 73446. Note donation is in memory of Gary K. Hicks, Lone Grove.

Page 2 of 2 - Services are under the care of Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home and Crematory, Ardmore. Condolences may be expressed online at hdouglasfuneralhome.com.